4 Unexpected Perks of Being a Senior Citizen |
Posted: December 4, 2017 |
Growing old can definitely be scary and stressful, but that doesn't mean that your golden years can't be some of the most exciting years of your life. There are a surprising number of benefits and perks that are available to senior citizens, and these can make life as a senior both easier and more enjoyable. In addition, old age brings wisdom and contentment that many people lack in their younger years, as well as time to travel, see old friends or take up new hobbies. Here are four of the best and most unexpected perks of being a senior citizen: 1. Travelling Many people don't realize just how easy it is to travel once you've retired comfortably. Your fifties and sixties can be like your twenties again: you have nothing but time and don't need to worry too much about money. This is especially true because most major airlines provide senior discounts that can make even the priciest trips affordable, and there are also senior discounts for most train and bus lines. When you combine these discounts with the money you saved up for retirement, as well as social security checks, funding vacations will be much easier. 2. Time to Pursue Your Pipe Dreams If you ever had something you dreamed of doing that you never got around to, like learning a new language, writing a novel or learning an instrument, you'll have plenty of free time to pursue these dreams as a senior citizen. Think of old age as a 'second chance' to do things that you thought you'd never get around to this late in life. If you use your time wisely, you may actually find yourself enjoying each day and feeling far less stress than you used to. 3. Senior Activities Most communities have a variety of free or discounted activities for seniors, provided through local community service departments, parks and recreation departments, and senior centers. These may include games, weekly clubs or other group activities, as well as shows, free food, and more. One example is the variety of senior activities Redwood City, where the Veterans Memorial Senior Center and multiple town organizations collaborate to provide senior citizens with clubs, educational courses, free food, and activities. Senior discounts are also available at many beaches and amusement parks, as well as at US national parks. 4. A Happier Outlook People tend to assume that growing old is a depressing time, but studies have shown that seniors are actually one of the happiest groups of people, and much happier than middle-aged people. There are several reasons why seniors are happier. Older people generally have more accomplishments and happy memories to look back on, and old age also brings greater wisdom, perspective, and practiced coping mechanisms to deal with life's hardships. In addition, senior citizens tend to be more secure and content and have a better idea of who they are, which makes them less self-conscious and less likely to care what others think of them. Some things about growing old will always be stressful, but your senior years can still be some of the best years of your life. By taking advantage of the various financial and social perks available to seniors, as well as less tangible benefits like wisdom and perspective, you may actually find yourself more relaxed and easygoing, and better able to enjoy small comforts. Perhaps most important of all, the free time you find yourself with in old age also brings greater opportunities to pursue your dreams and spend time with friends and family.
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